Mets Build Big Lead Then Hang On For 6-4 Win Over Pirates

The New York Mets rolled to a 6-0 lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates, then hung on for dear life late as the Pirates rallied to get the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning. 

The Mets hit early and often to open the proceedings, starting with a run in the first inning on an RBI single from Carson Benge off Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski  The game was briefly interrupted by a rain delay after that, but that didn’t stop the Mets offense, as they put up a four spot off Mlodzinski in the third inning.

Benge started it off once again with an RBI single, as the Mets flustered Modzinski with some aggressive base running. That set the table for Marcus Semien, who capitalized on the traffic to hit a three-run homer, and just like that it was 5-0. 

The lead grew again in the fourth as Francisco Lindor got in on the act with an RBI single, which gave starter Zac Thornton a big cushion at 6-0. Thorton was nails through five as he once again pitched to contact, and he gave up just four hits to go with a pair of walks and three strikeouts as he kept the Pirates off the board. 

That changed in the seventh as Pittsburgh finally scored against reliever Dedniel Nunez. The rally featured a double by Nick Gonzalez, a single by Ronny Simon and an RBI single from Jared Triolo for the first run, and a sacrifice fly from Jake Mangum got the second one home to make it 6-2. 

Jefry Yan was able to stop the bleeding and get out of the inning to preserve the lead, and Daniel Duarte was next up in relief with a scoreless eighth inning. 

The Mets brought in Devin Williams for the ninth, which turned into a total adventure. Jacob Gonzelez drove him a run with an RBI single to make it 6-3, but Gonzalez was gunned down at second by Brett Baty for the second out of the inning. 

But Williams gave up another run on a walk to Jake Mangum, who took second via defensive indifference and scored on another RBI single by Brandon Lowe. That made it 6-4, but Williams was finally able to put the Pirates away on a ground ball by Bryan Reynolds to finish things off. 

The win was the Mets’ fourth straight, with Thornton getting his third win of the season against two losses. The Mets will try and keep it going tomorrow, with Robert Stock on the mound against Bubba Chandler for the Pirates.